Radioactive Salvation Ch. 5
[Cordelia Goode x Reader]
A/N: I am alive, yes. Thank you for waiting y’all. Throughout the months that I’ve taken a break (that was a real long break asdfdghkl), lots of you continue to read and send sweet messages. Those are real inspiring. If you’re reading this chapter, hold on to your horses because Chapter 6 is coming sooner than you think. Enjoy y’all.
@cordeliasflowergirl @athenamgh @stevenuniversetanzanite @germansarechill @chonisbestmistake @alurous
Just comment down below your thoughts and suggestions. You can also dm y’all. Everything is much appreciated.
I sat on the head of the table and Misty took the chair to my left, an action that made Madison's brow to raise but we just shrugged it off.
Myrtle is the only one who isn't seating yet. When she noticed, she got off the phone and instantly sat down. "Pardon me, girls. Bubbles just called and said she's going to drop by later to greet her favorite roommate a happy birthday."
"Oh please!" Madison rolled her eyes, "She's her favorite because she's the only one who stuck with her."
"Who's gonna have a birthday?" Misty asked while chewing a part of her bagel. I tried to remember what date it was and failed. Things have been too busy around the manor. I haven't even visited my room for a while now.
I suddenly remembered you. My body stiffened at the thought - or lack thereof - I had of you for hours now.
"It's Y/n's birthday," Myrtle answered the witch in front of her. "She used to be Bubbles' roommate before she moved into Delia's bedroom."
How careless of me! I completely forgot about your birthday. I don't think I even got you a gift, not that you care for the material things. I glanced at the seat on my left, the one you usually occupy, only to realize that it was Misty taking the place. I was too preoccupied with assisting Misty yesterday that I don't remember seeing you all day.
"Where is she by the way?" Mallory inquired that prompted everyone at the table to look at me. They're used to me knowing your whereabouts, especially before we got out of bed. I'm used to that too but this morning was different. You didn't grace my mind until they've reminded me. What is wrong with me?
I tried answering but no sound came out of my mouth. I took a deep breath and excused myself, "I'm going to wake her up now." A sudden flush of guilt run over my body. I walked to our room, but not before overhearing the girls' hushed discussion.
"Did she just forget her girlfriend's birthday?" Coco whispered. Zoe called her out, saying it wasn't nice.
"I don't think it's just her birthday that she forgot," Madison remarked. I can feel her stare behind me. Sometimes, I hate her for being right.
I reached the door and I was trying to think of ways to brighten up the situation. You hate waking up alone in the morning, that's why I was always hesitant to leave our bed when Misty or any other of the girls need me. That's why you moved into my room after Bubbles left to continue her career outside the coven even before we were together. That's why you went to the academy.
Before I opened the door, I decided that I will make it up to you by treating you to dinner tonight then perhaps stargazing. You've always liked the silence of the night and the moon and stars gracing the night sky. It wasn't much but you've always loved the simplicity in things.
When I opened the door, I was expecting you to be seating in front of the mirror and combing your hair - that routine you take the longest to do in the morning - or lying in the bed because you're mad at me. I was surprised to see neither. In fact, you weren't there. The bed was made and cold - untouched by any living person for a long time. I checked for you in the shower, maybe you were taking your time in the tub. You weren't. Nervousness trying to creep its way slowly inside my head. I tried to shrug it off and checked the window facing the garden. Maybe you wanted to have some alone time with nature. You're still nowhere to be seen. This time, there's no denying that I am scared.
I walked myself back to the dining area, the girls' confused faces welcomed me. "Where's y/n?" Myrtle asked, "Is something the matter, dear?"
I looked at her and summoned the courage to speak. "Does anyone know where y/n is because she's not in our room?" Addressing everyone at the table. The younger witches talked in hushed tones then shook their heads.
Coco raised her hand to get my attention, "The last time we saw her, she was going to Misty's place to clean up, right?" She confirmed with Queenie who in turn nodded. "But that was like yesterday morning," my voodoo sister witch added.
That wasn't good. You never leave the house and don't come back before sunset. I stepped back and tried to remember the location of Misty's shack, one I always go to when I want to have peace of mind. I was able to do that but not before a gloved hand reached for me.
"You are so not using transmutation to go there, Delia." Aunt Myrtle remarked, distracting me.
"But I have to get there fast," I replied, too strongly.
"It's dangerous out there, with the Antichrist and everything," her grip on me tightened.
"The more reason I have to be there, instantly!" I snatched my hand away.
"Stop bickering, the two of you," Madison, now walking away from the dining table, intervened. "Queenie, you're in charge of the academy. Zoe, you're coming with us."
"What are you going to do?" Zoe hesitantly asked her sister witch.
"Buckle up, bitch. I'm driving," Madison replied while reaching for her keys in her bag.
I practically sprinted to her car and took the front seat. When Madison took the wheel, she went as fast as she could but not as fast I wanted. I tried speeding up the vehicle but that resulted in Myrtle yanking my hair from behind to distract me. Somehow, she knew words wouldn't exactly stop me so she opted for the physical approach.
When we reached the swamp, time stood still for me. I don't feel your presence, just traces. I approached Misty's house only to be embraced with familiar warmth.
You were here, I'm positive. I called out your name before I went inside, maybe you're just sleeping.
"Is this...?" Aunt Myrtle motioned to the energy surrounding the shack.
"A protective dome, yes," I replied. "I didn't know she can do that." I can't help but smile. I've always known that you are powerful and as years pass by, you learn to master even the highest forms of witchcraft.
I entered the house, hoping that you're inside, only to find the remnants of your visit. New albums of Fleetwood Mac. New stereo. No trace of dust. When I used my gift of Sight, I see you cleaning up with a content look on your face. Tears started forming in my eyes until Zoe called out for me.
"What is it?" I asked my council. She pointed me in the direction of the two bodies lying on the grass and starting to fade away. I quickly grabbed a part of them before disappearing only to see visions of you.
You were running for your dear life.
That's the only thing I saw. Then everything went black.
I can't feel you. I can't even see what happened afterward.
Seeing you running and knowing nothing but that shook me to the very core. I tried. Believe me, darling, I tried to find out what took place in the woods but I failed. Your sister witches were helping as well but we still had nothing. The coven was spread too thin, between finding you and ensuring that we are safe from the Antichrist.
It was before supper and Misty knocked on our bedroom.
"Delia, the food will be ready any minute," she said as she stood in the doorway. I nodded and continued to stare at your favorite dress hung on the dresser.
"She'll want ya to be strong, ya know," she said unpromptedly.
"I don't know what she wants anymore," I uttered.
"Shame," another voice chimed in the conversation, "that's what she would want you to feel."
I turned to see Bubbles entering the room. Misty excused herself right before the older witch slammed the door.
"You've been avoiding me," I remarked. It's been days since she occupied her old room here and this is the first time she spoke to me.
"So did you," she nonchalantly said as she sat down at the edge of the bed. It's true. I don't even know how I'd tell her that you were gone or lost or how unsure of it I am anymore.
The silence enveloped the room for a few a second before she spoke. "I've always known she would die if she stayed here, with you."
"She's not dead," I replied sharply, trying to hide the pain the statement caused.
"How sure are you?" She took a hit from her cigarette. Silence once again covered the air, if not for the occasional huff and puff from her cigarette.
The idea that your own best friend is uncertain that you're alive breaks my heart even more.
"She almost died for you once," Bubbles whispered, with her voice breaking. The sentence prompted me to look at her way. She put out her cigarette and looked at me, tears forming in her eyes. "[y/n] is all about saving the people she loves," she continued, "no matter the cost."
"I know," I replied trying to keep my voice from wavering.
"No, you don't" She replied sternly. "She fights these silent battles for us, keeping us from harm that we don't even know exists."
At this point, I'm not even sure what would be the next words coming out of her mouth.
"You're probably wondering what I'm saying," she lets out a little scoff before continuing, "there was a time when she saw your powers fading."
In my head flashed moments from years ago when I felt someone was taking the air out of my lungs, unsure whether I was being cursed or dying. I couldn't even walk straight on my own. I would rush into my office just to hide the fact that the coven's new supreme is sick or worse... fading.
"She performed a ritual to stop your weakening," she muttered in the air, taking me out of my reverie. She continued to look at the white walls of my - our room, "she performed it perfectly but we all know every ritual has a price."
She paused momentarily before facing me, "She was writhing on the floor with life draining out her eyes. We were so sure that she's dying." The former actress can't stop the tears falling out of her eyes. "I felt shame because I was her senior and friend and yet we can't do anything to help her"
"Who's we?" My voice filled with confusion, "what ritual?"
"I can't tell you that because I made a promise," she stood up from the bed preparing to leave, "and unlike you, I'm not gonna let that girl down."
Looking at Bubbles, I'm not sure whether it was her intention to hurt me but all I know is that her words sting. The woman you have treated like family all these years thinks that I'm the reason you're gone.
It hurts because I know she's right.
"All I can say is," she paused to get my attention, "that ritual made her the barrier between the transfer of your powers to the new supreme." She looked around as if not wanting to say what was about to come out of her mouth.
"So if you think you are fading," she says the last word like it's the plague, "that means the barrier is gone."
She blinked back her tears before walking out.
Love, are you really gone?
The logical answer is no.
You are breathing, existing, in this post-apocalyptical world you have created with the Antichrist.
However, looking at you right now through the blurry, intoxicating fog outside the Hawthorne Academy, I think it's safe to say the [y/n] I know is gone.
The black dress that hugs your figure emanates darkness and deadliness. The way you move and position your body speaks of a changed woman. A woman who can hurt and kill. A woman who can-
"-who can what, Cordelia?" a sharp voice echoed around me.
The fog between us cleared and showed you - tears streaming down your face. I was about to open my mouth when you answered the question yourself.
"A woman who can end the world?"
"[y/n]..." I was about to disagree when you continued.
"You're not wrong about that."
